FAQs

In most subjects we are completely neutral on gap years. In Mathematics they are discouraged, whilst in some subjects such as Engineering or Languages they can be of some benefit to the student in gaining experience (but not necessary for an application).

Yes, for most courses but not for Architecture, Medicine or Veterinary Medicine. Applicants will be expected to have achieved a First or an Upper Second Class degree in order for their application to be competitive.

There’s no age requirement for admission to most courses at Cambridge, although the vast majority of undergraduates are either 18 or will turn 18 during their first year. You’ll need to demonstrate that you have the maturity and personal skills to cope with university level study. If you’ll be over 21 when you start your course, you are classified as a mature student. Applicants for Medicine are required to be 18 before the second term of their first year.

Please note that the Cambridge Colleges will only, as a matter of principle, consider applications from students enrolled in a degree course at other UK universities in very exceptional circumstances.

Any application to move to Cambridge would need strong support from your Course Director or other academic tutor at your current university. A reference or letter of recommendation from that person to the Cambridge College would be required and only then can a Cambridge College consider an application. All such applications are still subject to the same academic assessment as any other application to the University.

If you are in the final year of a Bachelor's degree at another UK university you are, of course, welcome to apply for admission as an affiliated student.

At Trinity Hall we usually give each applicant two interviews. There are usually two interviewers present in each interview, and the questions asked will be primarily academic in nature. Topics covered will relate to the course for which the candidate has applied, and will range from material covered at school to material not encountered before.